Indiana's national championship a story book achievement for Catholics.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza from northdallasgazette.com

Notre Dame being left out of the CFB playoff was an obvious injustice, but Catholics can take a lot of solace and inspiration from the story of the 2025-26 champions from the same state.

Entering the 2024 season, Indiana was the losingest program in college football history, defeated in more than 700 games.

Since then, they have gone 27-2 with the only losses coming to the combatants in last year's title game- Ohio State and Notre Dame.

This year they became the first team in the playoff era to go 16-0. They beat Ohio State in the Big 10 championship before thrashing Alabama, Oregon and Miami to win it all.

Their Heisman winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza capped the game with one of the most determined runs you will ever see.

In the press conference, he was sure to tell everyone-

I am Catholic.

I am a Catholic man.

Another humble devout Catholic athlete to help mentor young people, like Harrison Butker and Caitlain Clark. You have to feel good about this. Our kids need more good role models.